Curricula have historically overlooked non-heteronormative education for elderly populations. The purpose of this study was to assess attitude changes toward same-sex relationships among Taiwanese older adults before and after taking a curriculum focused on the lived experiences of same-sex partners. Seventy-six older adults from Hualien County,…

The National Silver Academy (NSA) was launched in 2016 as part of the Singapore government's Action Plan for Successful Aging. This paper uses a grounded approach to explore and assess critical geragogical elements that are enabling, empowering and transformative for older learners. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 48…

The number of U.S. citizens ages 65 years and older is steadily increasing, and members of this cohort are redefining what it means to be an older adult. As members of the Baby Boom generation reach older adulthood, many of them are seeking educational opportunities to help them to meet their needs and desires as lifelong learners. Several factors…

The aging population is a worldwide challenge. Understanding how older adults have been portrayed would provide a foundation on which future scholarship can build. This study assesses and critiques the assumptions underlying the portrayal of older adults and their learning in adult education journals from 1980 to 2006. On reviewing 93 articles in…

Drawing from recent research, this paper attempts to refute some of the commonly held assumptions about the inevitable decline of intellect as part of the aging process and point to ways educators can expand educational opportunities for older adults. After exploring some of the myths and stereotypes about senile, disoriented, helpless, rigid,…

A British education council compared services for older adults with learners' needs and found a gap between intent and practice. Three areas for improvement were charted: communication, interagency collaboration, and promotion of equal opportunities. (SK)

Research on older adults at the United Kingdom's Open University over 25 years showed that the proportion of undergraduates over 50 is 14%, over 60 is 5%; that their course choices, motivation, and study preferences differ from those of younger students; and that their achievement compares favorably with that of younger students. (SK)

Written for teachers and students who expect to work with people in any field of human relationships and services, the document presents an anthology of vignettes on learning and aging. In addition to the author's vignettes are those of many others, chosen by a panel of 54 reader-judges consisting of students, professionals, and elderly people.…

This survey of academic public service librarians shows a decline in negative stereotypical perceptions of older adults from earlier studies. However, this may not necessarily indicate a desire to offer services to the elderly, and the factor of self-selection may be present with regard to librarians' involvement with such services. (Author/EM)

Discusses implications of the aging U.S. population for the adventure education field. Examines bias against older people and how this bias can hinder the facilitation of learning. Suggests that experiential programs allow older clients to explain who they are, to coframe ("front-load") activities, to create their own metaphoric links,…

Reviews data on the rapid growth of the older population in Australia. Describes the aims and content of gerontological education, highlighting the importance of destroying myths. Describes the educational opportunities available for older people, exploring the University of the Third Age model. (DMM)

Older learners are often led into adult education by a quest for self-development and the wish to make meaning of the human experience. Adult educators should explore and appreciate the process of human development in the last stage. In old age there can be a merging of the knowledge of the body (life's stories) and of the spirit (developmental…

In an effort to promote understanding of the elderly and to provide consumer awareness programs for them, the Office of Consumers' Education funded eight projects in 1976 and two in 1977 which focused on areas such as (1) education of older adults to make intelligent choices among alternative goods and services, (2) training of specialists to work…

This book contains nine papers on the development of education for older adults in the United Kingdom and Canada against the background of an aging population and the challenge of lengthening life expectancy. "Foreword" (David James) presents an overview of the book's contents and underscores the importance of motivation to learning in…